Munich Kristkindlemarkt Fills the the City
Shopping at Germany’s Best Known Christmas Markets
Nov 9, 2009
Black Forest cuckoo clocks, bright embroidered little girls’ dresses, frosting-decorated gingerbread hearts, contemporary silver jewelry, Medieval costumes, buttery cookies, marzipan fruits and animals, delicate blown glass Christmas tree ornaments, music boxes and Christmas ornaments and decorations in every style take over the streets of Bavaria’s capital city for almost a month each year.
Bavaria, the Heart of German Christmas
Germany is well known as the center of Europe’s Christmas Market spectacular, an annual all-out festival of culture and art that fills the squares of many of its towns and cities. But even Germans admit that Bavaria is at the very heart of the show – and Munich is center stage. In addition to dozens throughout the city center, even the new Munich Airport has a popular market in its atrium.
Munich’s annual market is called the Kristkindlemarkt and almost every neighborhood has one of its own. These take place between December 1 and Christmas Eve and artists, craftspeople and food vendors line the streets and squares of the city, joined by others selling holiday decorations and gifts.
The Marianplatz and Rindermarkt Markets
The main market, and the one to attend first, is in Marianplatz. Vendors and craftsmen selling carved wooden nativity scenes, lebkuchen cookies from Nuremberg and carved wooden figures of saints from Oberammergau began selling here each December as early as 1642. All these and much more are still found there. Not far away, the Rindermarkt is filled with figures and accessories for crèche scenes, and behind the elaborate spires of the Rathaus an entire park is filled with handcrafts and traditional foods.
Odeonsplatz and Wittlesbacherplatz Markets and a Lunch Option
Explore further on, inside the Kaiserhof courtyard on Odeonsplatz to find what many consider the best market of them all. Here, each artisan’s stall represents a different fine art or craft. Frequent musical programs feature everything from violins to Alpenhorns. A block away in Wittlesbacherplatz, a Medieval Market sells period costumes, authentic foods and leather, metal, wood, calligraphy, and pottery crafts from the Middle Ages. A good place for lunch or dinner in the midst of the markets is at Munich’s Ratskeller on Marienplatz.
Contemporary Craft and Artisans
Smart and stylish contemporary crafts are found at Tollwood, an arts and culture festival whose market contrasts sharply with the traditional wares of the more traditional markets. After an evening of browsing there, enjoy a traditional Bavarian dinner overlooking the festival grounds at Hacker-Pschorr Brewery/Restaurant.
The Taste of German Cuisine
Food is hard to ignore in Bavarian markets. Every markets has at least one grill covered in sizzling würsts, and in a city famous for beer, foaming glasses will be served to accompany it. Warm cold hands around mugs of steaming gluhwein – hot wine infused with spices. Save some time and money by buying a souvenir porcelain gluhwein mug at the first stop, carrying it for re-use in other markets to avoid cup deposits at each stop. Tempting gingerbread, spice cakes and other goodies are all around, and it’s a cultural experience to yield to temptation from time to time.
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